A First Grade Teacher, Steph Curry Sneakers, and God’s Weird Presence

When Luke was in the first grade, he was obsessed with Steph Curry (actually, he still is – he’s going into fifth grade and has a life-size “Fathead” of Curry on his bedroom wall).  He wanted a pair of Under Armour high tops with Curry’s signature saying “I can do all things” written on the heel.  The saying is short for a Bible verse, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  We bought the shoes, but they were expensive, so Luke contributed some of his own money that he had saved from his birthday and allowance.

I could not have predicted the strange way that God would use those sneakers.

Luke’s first grade teacher was very sweet, but tough.  In fact, his singular goal in life that year was to clip up to “super student” (the top of a chart that they had to climb every day with good behavior), but she didn’t make it easy on him (and usually, things come pretty easy for him).  When he finally made it, there was celebration in the Jensen house.

Luke in first grade (with a Curry shirt on, of course)

For a time, it seemed that his teacher frequently needed substitutes, and we found out later in the year that her husband had been diagnosed with cancer.  Just before the Christmas break, I sent a routine email about Luke’s bus schedule and received this response:

“OK.  Thanks.  Merry Christmas!  And, by the way, Luke is a doll.  He showed me his new sneakers the other day and we had a nice talk about our favorite Bible verses.  He almost made me cry!  So sweet!”

In the same email thread, she went on to tell me that her husband had five more radiation treatments and then 3-5 months later, would have his next surgery.  She expressed how difficult it had been, but clearly had a strong faith that kept her going.  She ended the email with these words:

“I’m so glad I’ve met you and especially Luke.  I know God put him in my class with those sneakers to keep me positive on this journey!  I’m still smiling about him and our conversation.  Have never had a conversation with a first grader like that!  I’ll always remember it!  Love and Prayers.”

I was blown away at how much a pair of sneakers and a simple conversation with a first grader had affected her.  I loved her faith, and how she saw a little kid, in a pair of sneakers with a positive message, as affirmation of God’s presence in her day to day life.

It made me wonder how much of God’s presence I was missing in my own life.

And his teacher didn’t know it, but I really needed to hear what she told me about Luke.  Earlier that year, we had left our church family of 10 years, were church homeless for awhile, and then started attending the Episcopal church in town.  We were still new, still learning, not yet feeling a sense of community, and I was concerned about the kids’ faith.  That email was one of several things that God used to reassure me that He was at work in the kids’ lives, regardless of our church affiliation.

I didn’t write about this at the time because I thought it might get back to the teacher who had shared these things in confidence.  Several years have passed and we are in a new school district, so when I remembered this story, I decided it was safe to share it.  I honestly don’t know if any of Luke and Lela’s other public school teachers have been Christians, but I don’t have to know because they have all been kind and good.  Where there is love, there is God, and all of their teachers have treated them with love and care.

I think this story came to mind again because of our current circumstances.  Nothing is normal, things are in upheaval, the future is uncertain, and there is a lot of mistrust and fear.  It’s a strange time in our history.

But Luke’s teacher was dealing with incredible hardship and uncertainty and grasped onto the smallest affirmation of God’s love and presence to sustain her.  I think we need to do the same.

If I just take a moment to look around, I feel so grateful. (In fact, I have the words of a Hamilton song stuck in my head:  “Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now.”)

When I stop to consider what we still have, and stop dwelling on what we have lost, I feel hopeful.

If I think about the brevity of life, and what really matters, it puts things in perspective.

When I remind myself that “this too shall pass,” I can put one foot in front of the other with confidence.

If I consider the positives that could come out of all this (a renewed appreciation for community and the small pleasures of life, an opportunity to teach the kids resilience and emotional intelligence that can only come through adversity, a chance to slow down and reprioritize . . . the list could go on and on), I am able to see the circumstances through a different lens.

I believe that God is with us in our pain.  But His presence might not always be what we expect.  Maybe it’s a random phone call or email that lifts your spirits.  Maybe a book that captivates you.  Maybe a pet that comforts you.  Maybe laughter from your children or the beauty of nature or the melody of a song.

Or maybe a first grader in a pair of Steph Curry sneakers.

Let’s look around.  God is with us.  And however He shows up, even if it’s weird, let His love and presence comfort us and give us hope in these uncertain times.

(Update:  I reached out to Luke’s first grade teacher to get her permission to share this and am happy to report that her husband is cancer free!  I had forgotten that we gave her a little wooden sign at the end of the school year with the Philippians 4:13 verse inscribed – she said she still has it and reads it every day.  She still has the same sunny outlook and has found many blessings in the midst of everything we have experienced in 2020.  I continue to learn from her and be inspired by her, which is no surprise – after all, she is a teacher!)

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